U.S.-based electric car maker taking orders on two new models, including a new supercar called the Inizio which boasts a 0- 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 170 mph (274 km/h).

Li-ion Motors has announced at the Detroit auto show that it will take its two all-electric models, the WAVE II and the INIZIO ('beginning' in Italian) supercar to production.

Based in Mooresville, North Carolina, Li-ion Motor is also the maker of the Inizio electric supercar which the company says boasts a 0- 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 170 mph (274 km/h).

Says Li-ion Motor's general manager Tom Zgoda:

"Hybrid cars like the Prius and Volt are still rooted in a bridge technology still based on oil. Electricity is the real power infrastructure of this country and the world and it will eventually be readily available for car fueling as oil products are today. But nothing will happen unless we make it happen."

The WAVE II comes with a base price of $39,000 (€30,118). An order can be secured with a $99 deposit (refundable).

The Inizio will sell for $139,000 (€107,342). Li-ion Motor is accepting refundable deposits of $1,000 for orders of the car.